Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-03-17
FACTS WORTH KNOWING.

Valuable Suggestions Concerning the w.
tering and Feeding Of Horses.
The watering and feeding of animals
is important from a hygienic stand
point. 1t is especially SO where horses
are concerned, since the care of these
animals is more artificial than that of
any other farm stock. One of the cast
iron rules with stablemen is to water
twice day. The rule will not work
especial harm if applied 10 horses Of
everyday work, which leave the stable
in the morning and return at night.
Water, of course, is supposed to be
given at intervals through the day. and
especially at the MONDAY meal The
time of watering is important. Water
should be given before and never after
feeding, so far as full drafts are con-
cerned.
When thirsty horse is given what
water he will drink Immediately after
feeding much of the food is carried UNI
digested far into the bowels, causing
many disorders, rs collie, for instance.
If the horse is watered before being
fed, the water passes out OF the
stomach, is taken up by the absorb
ents. and distributed throughout the
system just where it is needed. If the
horse seems thirsty after eating two or
three quarts of water may be given and
will do no harm.
The disposition of the horse as to
eating should be looked to. If inclined
to bolt his food without proper chew
ing his teeth should be examined, and
unsound teeth. if any, should be re-
moved, and perhaps ground feed and
chopped hay substituted for whole
grain. This also should be the rule
with greedy horses that bolt their food
without grinding. If, however, horse
eats rather slowly and properly grinds
his food it is better than the grain and
hay be fed in the natural state.
If a horse is to do hard work during
the day ground food is preferable for
the morning meal. 1t is digested more
rapidly than when the grain is fed
whole. Another mistake too often
made is to rush horse into exhaustive
work as soon as he has swallowed his
meal. Nothing could be more de-
structive to health. At least an hour
should intervene after feeding before
horse is driven hard or pulled exhaust
lively.
The giving of water is not less i'm
portant than feeding. During jour-
ney. and especially in hot weather, the
team should be allowed to drink at
every opportunity if they will. But at
no time should they be allowed to fill
themselves with water. Four quarts
is enough at any time, unless long
distance has been driven. Then four
quarts is enough for the first draft.
At the end of twenty minutes each
horse should be allowed pailful if he
will drink it. Generally he will not do
so, but if allowed he may take two or
three pailfuls at the first draft, and al
ways to his damage.
The stomach of Il horse will contain
onl from twelve to sixteen quarts. A
pailful Of water will fill the stomach of
the ordinary horse. The water drank
does not remain in the stomach. 1t
passes into the large intestine (cecum)
and thence to the bowels, being taken
up along the passage by the a5sorbents.
If large quantities of water are given
the horse sweats or stales profusely,
and the system is depleted. The hints
here given, if carefully considered
and acted on, will save many veterinary
fees. and in sparsely settled districts
will save much unnecessary disability.
and even the death of this the most
valuable servant of man. Collie, in
digestion and other complications
arising from improper watering and
feeding kill more horses than all other
causes combined Chicago Tribune.